The parfum is not 'stronger' - what I mean is the sillage/projection is not more, however the longevity is very high. It bypasses the citric/fresh top notes and instead zooms right into the middle / base notes of woods, resins, vanilla, etc. That unique dusty aspect of the original scent is amplified in the extrait, so that the wearer is enveloped in a silky, soft, plush texture from beginning to end. I wear it very seldom in Summer / Spring preferring it in cooler weather, but that's just me. I also have realized that it wears a tiny bit different, depending upon whether it's dabbed on or sprayed on. I enjoy both applications.

"When you become comfortable with uncertainty. infinite possibilities open up in your life"

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

I do own a decant which I got for a good price. Otherwise I wouldn't have paid that high price. It is recognizable as Habit Rouge, however it has a more modern feel. It is definitely different and definitely very good. I think the EdP goes in that direction - more modern, less neroli... If believe to remember (haven't worn it for a while) that the extrait has a beautiful iris note, I think in the base there is some vetiver, but not sure. I thought is was a bit less leathery than the original. But the leatheryness of habit rouge in general seems to depend very much on the weather and my mood.
So to sum up - very good scent. But you should try and decide whether it is worth the extra money. impossible to answer that question for someone else.

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

I know what you mean Duke, but to me the L'Extrait is not as 'grim' as the EdP. It's a bit fuller and richer. And I don't really smell the oud in the L'Extrait - instead its more resinous and vanilla-rich.

"When you become comfortable with uncertainty. infinite possibilities open up in your life"

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

Originally Posted by mikeperez23

I know what you mean Duke, but to me the L'Extrait is not as 'grim' as the EdP. It's a bit fuller and richer. And I don't really smell the oud in the L'Extrait - instead its more resinous and vanilla-rich.

Excellent, so it's basically a super amped up version of the EDT?, as opposed to the EDP which essentially (in my opinion) a different fragrance.

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

Also own it and it seems to last forever.

Remember that while it is perfectly acceptable to criticize the content of a post - criticizing the poster is not.
Mean spirited, nasty, snide, sarcastic, hateful, and rude individuals on Basenotes don't warrant or deserve my or other Basenoters' acknowledgement or respect.

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

I would pretty much characterize it in the same way as saminlondon would - "in the same mold as the EDP" only to the nth degree.

Last edited by hednic; 27th October 2014 at 12:03 AM.

Remember that while it is perfectly acceptable to criticize the content of a post - criticizing the poster is not.
Mean spirited, nasty, snide, sarcastic, hateful, and rude individuals on Basenotes don't warrant or deserve my or other Basenoters' acknowledgement or respect.

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

OK, the only way is to test it then. I'll need to get hold of a sample, would be interesting though to hear how it's better than than the EDP though from somebody who doesn't like the EDP, but like the Extrait.

Many adhere to the original EdC formula as the Habit Rouge paragon because of its delicate blend of orange cologne and soft balms, and it was available right up to 2007. The now indispensable Eau de Toilette version, altogether more rugged and musky, was made in 1988 to meet the eighties' demand for more powerful scents — a trend which also gave birth to Eau de Parfum (or, in Guerlain's terms, Parfum de Toilette) versions of Shalimar, Jicky, Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleue and Chamade in 1986-1987. Habit Rouge was itself reinvented as Eau de Parfum in 2003, having the swank orange blossom toned down and a golden, full agarwood note woven smoothly into the oriental base. Though being the unmistakable scent of Habit Rouge, it was more a reformulation than a mere concentrated variant: extra formal, firmly woody and suave.

Even more so was the Parfum edition — a novel category in men's perfumery and at first only a one-off 2008 production — which added a completely new and reworked identity to Habit Rouge as dark and serious. It featured semi-gourmand levels of orange essences and benzoin, a modern cedarwood backbone and a rich, cashmere-fine patchouli with earthy facets of bitter chocolate, coffee and camphor, amplifying the part of Habit Rouge that always reminded you more of Vol de Nuit than of Shalimar. Despite its luxurious price, it fared well enough to be granted tenure.

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

I think the Extrait only appeared in the directory relatively recently. Personally, this is my favourite incarnation of HR. It is more restrained than both the EdP and EdT, meaning the top notes are more subdued and it lacks the 'pink cloud' effect of those two. It wears closer to the skin but longevity is very good (on me). It's very rich-smelling, not as powdery, the ambergris is more to the fore. I don't get the oud note.
It's recognisable but different. I would sample it first due to £, especially if you dislike any formulation of HR.

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

Originally Posted by Duke Hunt

Excellent, so it's basically a super amped up version of the EDT?, as opposed to the EDP which essentially (in my opinion) a different fragrance.

No I wouldn't say that. It's sort of the middle & base notes of the EdT "amped up" and given longevity and richness. It has NONE of the citrus tart freshness of the EdT. I also think it smells less "powdery"...but maybe because my nose interprets styrax as not so powdery as say...opopanax.

"When you become comfortable with uncertainty. infinite possibilities open up in your life"

Re: Habit Rouge L'Extrait

Originally Posted by mikeperez23

No I wouldn't say that. It's sort of the middle & base notes of the EdT "amped up" and given longevity and richness. It has NONE of the citrus tart freshness of the EdT. I also think it smells less "powdery"...but maybe because my nose interprets styrax as not so powdery as say...opopanax.